Court quashes Kimberley gas hub land grab

Happier times: Colin Barnett and traditional owner Ignatius Paddy sign a deal to allow the gas hub to be built in June.

AAP: Lloyd Jones

Western Australia's Supreme Court has ruled invalid the State Government's move to compulsorily acquire land for a gas hub in the Kimberley.

The community has been divided and some have had an ongoing battle with Woodside Petroleum over its plans to build a $30 billion liquefied natural gas precinct at James Price Point.

Chief Justice Wayne Martin today ruled three notices of intention to acquire the land were invalid because they did not contain a description of the land.

However his declaration does not prevent the Lands Minister from issuing further notices of intent to take land in the area.

The claimant's lawyers say the ruling means the deal struck between the Government and the native title claimants for the area, the Jabbir Jabbir and Goolarabooloo, is invalid, putting the future of the Browse gas project in doubt.

The deal involved a $1.5 billion benefits package for Aboriginal people in the region, and was reached by consent after the Government started the compulsory acquisition process.

The court action was brought by a breakaway group from within the Jabbir Jabbir-Goolarabooloo people, who voted against the deal being signed.